A drug is classified as addicting if it causes: compulsive, often uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Marijuana meets this criteria. More than 120,000 people enter treatment per year for their primary marijuana addiction. In addition, animal studies suggest marijuana causes physical dependence, and some people report withdrawal symptoms.
There is a very important difference between what alcohol does to your body compared to marijuana's affect. Alcohol is a food and is metabolized by the body to provide energy, the end products are eliminated by the body. However, according to the Executive Health Report (pg3),
“Molecule for molecule, THC [in marijuana] is 10,000 times stronger than alcohol in its ability to produce mild intoxication...THC is removed slowly from the body, and many months are required to recover from its effects."(Executive Health Report, October 1977, p.3)
Marijuana is also both emotionally and mentally addictive. Now that my friends are addicted to marijuana, it has developed into part of who they believe they are. They don’t call their friends who do not use, and tend to hang out with others that do. Marijuana is something that is always on their mind, whether they’re thinking about the next time they will be able to get high, or where they’re going to get their next dime bag. When someone is addicted to marijuana eventually their friends and the people close to them only know how they act when they’re stoned. This is because they no longer do anything without first smoking-up. Their constant abuse is due to the misconception that marijuana is what they need to solve their problems. Addicts will even take their stash with them wherever they go, just in case an opportunity arises and they are able to take a couple hits. They even have several dealers in order to make sure they always have a constant supply of marijuana.
A marijuana addiction is very expensive. Many people spend over sixty dollars a day. That is equal to smoking approximately three grams depending on the quality of the “pot”. Granted lots of people do not smoke alone and there for the cost can be cut down a bit. It generally takes my friends five dollars to be included in what they call “the syph.” However, my friend Chris informed me that he never spends less than twenty dollars a day.(Wiley pg1) That adds up to $140 a week, $560 a month, or $6,720 a year. He's been smoking for three years now. That adds up to $20,160 dollars. He could have bought himself a 2002 car for himself this Christmas in cash. Marijuana addicts tend to live below the lifestyle they could be living at due to the lack of cash flow. The money isn't only being spent on marijuana, many people also buy extra food to appease the "munchies". Most users know that they cannot afford their habit and continue to spend the money anyway. This is a sign of addiction.
Marijuana affects a person's ability to make productive decision and also empties their wallets quicker than necessary. People need to stop kidding themselves and realize that substance abuse is harmful regardless of which substance you are using.
